Traffic Accident Closes 322 Yesterday

According to a press release from the Patton Township Police Department, westbound Route 322 was closed yesterday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. due to a traffic accident involving a police officer.

Patton Township Police Sergeant John Walters, 54, was responding to an assault-in-progress on US 322 and Harvard Road when his vehicle lost control the wet roadway and hit a guardrail. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Sgt. Walters was extricated from the vehicle by Alpha Fire Company. Walters was transported by Centre LifeLink to Altoona Regional Medical Center and was later transported by medical helicopter to UPMC.

Walters sustained multiple leg injuries as a result of the accident. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the crash.

According to the Daily Collegian, the State College and Penn State police will respond to at least three or four times more calls than average this weekend, including increased traffic accidents, DUIs, and other citations.

To maintain proper crowd control, festival visitors will see an increased police presence in the area.